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performance. However, the conventional dry etching process makes it difficult to control the cladding layer thickness due to lack of suitable material for etching stopper, which sometimes resulted in inconsistent laser performance.


Renesas Electronics’ new NV4A61F laser diode adopts the company’s newly-developed inner- stripe structure, which reduces performance inconsistency while providing robust high- power output and low noise. The epitaxial growth technology that is capable of controlling the layer thickness at 1-nm level, same as that of an atomic layer, improves accuracy of the fabrication of the cladding layer by ten times compared to the conventional dry etching process. In addition, to efficiently concentrate current in the light emitting layer, the new laser adopts aluminum nitride (AlN) as the material to form the current blocking layer directly above the cladding layer. With its excellent thermal conductance and transparency necessary for the laser light to pass through, this new material improves heat dissipation from the light emitting layer by approximately 20% compared to the conventional ridge waveguide laser and realizes advanced device performance including excellent linearity in current and optical power output up to the high- temperature, high-output range.


Renesas Electronics aims to expand its lineup of blue-violet laser diode, expect to release the next 420 mW laser for dual-layer, 12× Blu-ray recording by December, 2010 to support the realization of a next-generation of high-speed Blu-ray recorders.


Delivery of Thin-Film Solar Modules Agreement signed


Modules use innovative CIGS technology


Phoenix Solar AG, a leading photovoltaic system integrator listed on the TecDAX, has signed a framework agreement with MiaSole, a leading manufacturer of copper-indium-


108 www.compoundsemiconductor.net June 2010


gallium-selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels based in Santa Clara, California. The agreement, which runs until 2013, enables Phoenix Solar to extend its product portfolio with another quality supplier capable of highly cost-efficient manufacturing. In the context of this agreement, Phoenix Solar has placed an order for an initial 4.5 MWp of thin-film modules from MiaSole for delivery in the second quarter of 2010.


MiaSole’s innovative production process applies different layers of copper, indium, gallium and selenium on a metal foil. This substrate is divided into cell-like sections and laminated between two hardened glass plates. The frameless glass-glass module can be used for roofs, as well as for ground-mounted systems, and can withstand high wind and snow loads. The innovative production process allows for almost all module shapes to be manufactured, which increases the potential for saving costs on balance of systems equipment.


In the laboratory CIGS technology has already achieved the highest conversion efficiency amongst all commercial thin-film technologies. The current conversion efficiency of the MiaSole module is 10.5 percent, with higher efficiency product to be shipped at the end of 2010.


The framework agreement also includes a recycling warranty where required by regulation or financing: At the end of the lifetime of the solar modules the customer has the option of having them taken away by MiaSole and recycled or reconditioned.


“Phoenix Solar has always sought to lead the field in innovations in all aspects of system integration from the module, through balance of system to operation & maintenance services. We welcome MiaSole to our group of strategical suppliers with whom we work closely to extract maximum synergy effects as a means of continuously driving down system costs,” said Manfred Bachler, Chief Technology Officer at Phoenix Solar AG.


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